FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For a high-resolution photo of the winner, click here (will activate link when photo is available).
For more information contact:
Joe Cassady, executive director, Beef Improvement Federation, North Carolina State University; 919-513-0262; www.BIFconference.com; www.beefimprovement.org
Natalie Laubner Awarded BIF Roy A. Wallace Memorial Scholarship
HOUSTON, Texas. (April 19, 2012) — The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) awarded Natalie Laubner with a Roy A. Wallace Memorial Scholarship during the organization's 44th annual meeting and research symposium in Houston, Texas, April 18-21. The award recognizes two students who have made a significant commitment and passion for the industry.
>Hailing from Mandan, N.D., Laubner is a junior at Kansas State University (K-State) majoring in animal science and industry and keeps busy as the university's Block and Bridle president, Sigma Alpha vice president and agricultural student council vice president. She was a member of the wool-judging team, placing third in reasons and tenth high individual at San Antonio.
In addition to her many campus activities, her industry involvement is equally impressive. She is currently a member of the North Dakota Stockmen's Association, North Dakota CattleWomen and North Dakota FFA, and is a Little American Royal coordinator. She served as a National Beef Ambassador in 2009-2010, and won the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Reserve National Public Speaker in 2011. She also proposed a study converting two vaccines into a 2-in-1 product at a Pfizer Animal Health Seminar during an internship in the summer of 2011.
Laubner works in the K-State Department of Animal Science, and for Tokach Angus Ranch and Laubner Ranch and Dairy.
The Roy A. Wallace Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Memorial Fund was established to honor the life and career of Roy Wallace. Wallace, who worked for Select Sires for 40 years, served as vice president of beef programs and devoted his life to the improvement of beef cattle. He became involved with BIF in its infancy and was the only person to attend each of the first 40 BIF conventions. He loved what BIF stood for — bringing together purebred and commercial cattle breeders, academia and breed associations, all committed to improving beef cattle.
Wallace was honored with both the BIF Pioneer Award and BIF Continuing Service Award, and he co-authored the BIF 25-year history, Ideas into Action. This scholarship was established to encourage young men and women interested in beef improvement to pursue those interests as he did, with dedication and passion. Two $1,250 scholarships are offered, one to an undergraduate and the other to a graduate student.
For more information about this year's symposium, including additional award winners and coverage of the meeting and tours, visit www.BIFconference.com. For more information about the BIF organization, visit www.beefimprovement.org.
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Editor's Note: This article is provided as a news release by the Beef Improvement Federation. For a high-resolution photo of the winner, additional award announcements and coverage of the meeting, visit the Awards page at www.BIFconference.com.
The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) was formed more than 40 years ago as a means to standardize beef cattle performance programs and methodologies and to create greater awareness, acceptance and usage of these concepts of genetic improvement. BIF represents more than 40 state and national beef cattle associations. For more details about the BIF organization, contact Executive Director Joe Cassady at 919-513-0262.
